Farewell, Trusty Steed

Trusty Steed,  1988-2012

       Farewell, Trusty Steed.  Our faithful companion on many an adventure has gone on to automobile heaven.  Born Toyota Corolla 4WD in 1988,  he ran a career total of 216,531 kilometers/134,249 miles in some of the harshest conditions Australia has to offer with sometimes less than gentle drovers.  

       T.S., as his friends called him, saw plenty of action in the northern part of the state.  The Outback was his friend.  He reveled in taking on the open, gravelly roads and bathing in the ubiquitous fine red dust that defines the Pilbara area.  In complete defiance of the odds-casting coworkers of his drover, he never  broke down or even trembled when out of reach of civilization.  A true Australian outback thoroughbred.

     But T.S. knew how to handle himself in other environments as well.  He captained his way along the Indian Ocean  and shared the road with passing wild kangaroo and emu.  Going camping? Load him up and be on your way.  Heading south to wine country and hills with tall trees?  T.S. matched the majesty and had plenty of space to carry  wine, produce, eggs and other treasures found at roadside stands & thrift stores along the way.

     Alas, a hard long life took its toll.  T.S., after suffering from chronic pains and overheating during the last several months, succumbed to the Grim Knacker on Tuesday.  His drovers, Hilary and Kev, gave him a final cleaning up and pat down (found 65¢ in the process) and bade him farewell.  Also in attendance was TransPerth public transportation-- a regular consoler of T.S.' now wheel-less owners.  In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to your preferred auto mechanic.

     Farewell, Trusty Steed.   You were a good friend.